Oxidative conversion of isobutane to isobutene over V-Sb-Ni oxide catalysts

Insertion of proper amounts of nickel oxide into alumina-supported V-Sb oxide catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane substantially increases isobutane conversion (from 36 to 42-44%) at selectivity to isobutene similar to70%. Fresh and used catalysts (including reference bulk V-Sb-O and V-Sb-Ni-O systems) were characterised by BET, XRD, XPS and H-2-TPR. Formation of new phase of nickel vanadate NiV2O6 at the expense of free VOx-phase leads to more reducible catalyst with increased amounts of mobile lattice oxygen. The facile redox cycle of vanadium species is considered to improve the catalyst activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved